Aerodrome.



W. A. HUTSON.

ABRODROME.

APPLICATION FILED 113.21, 1911.`

Patented Oct. 31, 191-1;

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Mv o,

W. A. HUTSON.

AERODROME.

APPLICATION FILED H1121, 1911.

1,007,445. Patented 001. 31,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. n A ZN l L JM WL-a, im

I/A. l/A

WITNESSES W. A. HUTSON.'

ABRODROME.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.21, 1911.

/ Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

All

To all 'who-m 'it may concern:

- UNiTED sTATEs WILLIAM A. HUTSON,

PATENT oEErcE.

OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO JAY H. KEELER,ONE-THIRTIETH T0 GEORGE W. BRENN, ONE-TENTH TO JOSEPH G. GOFF,ONE-THIRTIETH TO JACOB B. GOTTLOB, AND TWO-THIRTIETHS TO CHARLES W.SHAW, ALL 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AERODROME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Application led February 21, 1911. Serial No. 609,987.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. HU'rsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Aerodrome, of which the following is aspecification. y

My invention has for its object to provide an apparatus by means ofwhich aerial navigation may be learned or performed by inexperiencedpersons without danger.

To this end, my invention consists of an aerodrome having an elevatedguide-track and guide-frame upon the aeroplane encircling such track,whereby vertical and lateral movement of the aeroplane is restrictedwithin certain limits, while at the same time the machine is entirelyfree in its flight.l

It further consists of means whereby the elevation of such track maybecontrolled.

It further consists of means whereby the width of the track may beadjusted according to the width of the aeroplane.

It further consists of means whereby an aeroplane may be propelled byelectricity propelled from a central source.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as willbe hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my inver: tion, I have shown in the`accompanying drawings, one form thereof which is at present preferredby me, since thesame has been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities asherein shown and described.

Figure l represents a diagrammatic plan view of a portion Yof myimproved aerodrome. Fig. 2 represents a transverse section of the trackat the starting end ofthe same, showing an aeroplane on the startingplatform. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation -l #le starting end of theaerodrome. Figi 4 represents a side elevation of a mast and swinging armwhich supports thel trackcable. Fig. 5 represents a diagram illustratinthe wiring for the electric motors operating the track-supporting armsand for supplying current to propel the aeroplane. Similar numerals ofreference indicate corresponding parts in the gures.

Referring to the drawings: The aerodrome is preferably laid out in theform of an ellipse or on an oblong plan having curved ends and straightsides. Girder or lattice masts or towers, l, are arranged in opposedpairs on the plan of the aerodrome. Bars, 2, are 4pivoted between ears,3, upon the upper ends of the masts, and have arms, 4:, projecting at aright angle from their inner ends. Rods, 5,.having weights, 6, securedupon them are pivotally connected to the ends of said arms, and cords orchains, 7 are attached to the ends of the rods and connected to drums,8, journaled in the masts and actuated by electric motors, 9, which arecontrolled to cause the drums to revolve 1n either direction and to beheld by suitable brake means all controlled by suitable controllers orswitches at a central station or switch-board to be later described. Thebars are preferably longitudinally adjustable, being composed of twolongitudinally slotted bar-portions, l0, adjustably secured together bynutted bolts, 11. Cables, 12, are supported at the free ends of thepivoted bars, and are carried around the aerodrome parallel to eachother. The ends of said cables are preferably carried around drums, 13,and have weights, 14, at their ends, which weights serve to keep thecables taut. It will thus be seen that two parallel guidetracks areformed around the aerodrome. The parallel guide-tracks have atthestarting point straight portions, 15, which are continued into thestraight or substantially straight side portions of the main guidetracks. A platform, 16, is provided beneath the starting tracks, andextends to beneath a portion of the curved tracks upon which theaeroplane returns to its starting place. The

` ends ot the cables are carried downward and then out tothe tensiondrums and weights, whereby a gap in the tracks is formed between theportions where the aeroplane stops and the straight starting portions.rlhe tops of the masts are connected by means of bars, 17, which supporttrolley-wires, 18, beneath them, by suitable hangers, 19.

The aeroplane, 20, may be of any construction and type, but when it isused in connection with my aerdrome and for amusement purposes or inteaching beginners, 1 prefer to substitute an electric motor, 21, fordriving the propeller, 22, for the usual internal combustion engine.Wires, 23, or other suitable exible conductors are connected to themotor and to trolley-wheels, 24, journaled ina suitable frame, 25, totravel'upon the trolley-wires.

r1`wo pairs of upright bars, 26, are secured to each side of the frameof the 'aeroplane Aand suitably braced together, and lateral frame-bars,27 and 28, are respectively secured to the upper and lower ends of saidupright bars and are suitably braced to rigidly project fromoppositesides o the aeroplane. Bars, 29 and 30, are pivoted to the ends of thehorizontal frame bars and have their ends meet at or about the middlesof the vertical side-frames formed by the above-described bars. Springs,30X, are provided at the pivoted ends of the bars and serve to returnthem to their normal vertical position. The pivot-ed bars swing inplanes parallel to the frame of the aeroplane and to that of its travel,only, and are rigid to lateral play. The trolley-wire is fed from i agenerator, 3l, and a switch, 32, is provided in one terminal of thetrolley-circuit to control the same.

To control the motors which `swing the pivoted track-supporting arms, aswitchboard, 33, is provided, having controllers, 34, similar to thecontrollers of an electric car orfother motor, and connected to conftrol the revolution of each motorl and the stopping of the drum. Theswitch-board is connected at 35 and by a wire, 36, to one pole ofd thegenerator, and wires, 37, lead to one pole of each motor in each mastfrom each controller; Wires, 38, lead fromthe oppo-` site pole of eachmotor to the opposite pole of the generator, so that the circuit of eachmotor may be individually closed to run the motor by the insertion ofits corresponding controller. Five individual motor circuits, only, areillustrated in the diagram, Fig. 5, for the sake of clearness and to notencumber th: drawing, but it is to be understood that each motor has itsindividually controlled circuit. A switch-board, 39, has four switches,40, 41, 42 and 43. y The motors of the outerseries of masts are allconnected in series by a wire, 44, and the motors of socket 47 is madethrough a wire, 48, circuit breaker, 49, and wire, 50, to the contact ofswitch 41, and by a wire, 51, from the wire 50 to the contact of switch42. j

`Nhen it is desired'to actuate all of the motors of the outer series ofmasts, connection is made with the pole of the generator from point 35to point47, which carries the current through wire 48, circuit-breaker.49, wires 50 and 51, switch 42, which is closed, to

wire 44, around the series of motors, and

back to the opposite pole of the generator through wire 38.

When it is desired to actuate all of the motors of the inner series ofmasts, connection is also made between points 35 and 47 to connect withone pole of the generator, whereupon the current passes through wire 48,circuit-breaker 49, w-ire 50, through switch 41, which is closed, aroundthrough wire 45 to all of the motors, and back through switch 43, whichis closed, to the opposite pole of the generator.

When it is desired to operate both series of motors; switches 41 and 42are closed, and connection is made from point 35 to point 47, when thecurrent twill pass through wire 48, circuit-breaker 49, wires 50 and 51,through switches 41 and 42 to the respective circuits 45 and 44, theformer passing i though switch 43, which is closed, and back to thegenerator, and the latter passing back through wire 38.

In this manner the motor of each mast may be individually controlled toactuate the pivoted lateral bar upon it, and either series of motors maybe actuated, or both series may be simultaneously actuated.

In practice, the aeroplane is started from the starting platform, thelateral frames of the aeroplane having been placed over the two-cablesby swinging the pivoted outer bars to admit of such movement. When theaeroplane now moves forward under its starting impetus and the action ofits propeller, the cables will prevent the aeroplane from undulydiverging from its course and, shouldit for some reason tend to drop,the upper lateral frame-bars 27 will catch on the cables and prevent theaeroplane from dropping to the ground. By means of the control of thelaterally extending bars which Y bars may swing on striking thecable-supran elevatedvguidetrack,an aeroplane, means for propelling thesame, ,and avertical guide on theside ofvsaid aeroplane, normally outporting arms Without materially inipeding the speed of the machine andimmediately swing back to their normal positions. lVhen the aeroplanearrives at the end of the tracks and above the platform, it is stoppedand the 4swinging guide-bars admit-of the aeroplane being removed fromthe tracks and pushed over and engaged by the tracks or cables of' thestraight starting portion of the aerodrome, When the machine mayI againbe started for another flight.

This apparatus may be employed as anr amusement device, carrying one ormore passengers around the aerodrome Without risk of injury by a fall'of the machine, or the apparatus may be used as a teaching apparatus offlying without danger to the pupil. lVliile 'I prefer, at ltliebeginning of teaching pupils or When the apparatus is used as anamusement device, to utilize electric `propulsion for the aeroplane, itis evident that an aeroplane propelled by the forceof an internalcombustion machine, such as ordinarily used, may be equally as Wellfitted to fly on this aerodrome. 'f By employing electricity as thepropelling power, I can considerably lighten the aeroplane, bydispensing Witlrthe engine, gasolene and Water tank, thus admitting ofthe machine carrying the additional Weight of the guide-fr ies. Besidesits use as an amusement device and as an apparatus for teachingaeronautics, the device is useful forl trying out neu1 constructions offlying machines, Without risk to life and limbs, as

. the guide-fra1nes may be applied to any construction of flyingmachine. As the lateral bars which support the tracks are longitudinallyadjustable, the tracks may be adjusted at varying distances apart, toaccommodate aeroplanes having different Widths of frame. It will, ofcourse, be understood that the guide-tracks are not intended forInormally Supporting t-he aeroplane Whenv in. flight, butto'merelypreventit from diverging from its normal path,llaterally andvertically, and thaty t-he aeroplane is self-supporting. Y Y

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desiretosecureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatusof the character stated,

of contact with .said track but constructed to engage the same to limitthe lateral movement of the aeroplane.

2. In apparatus of the character stated, a pair of elevated guidetracks, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and Verticalguides'on the sides of said aeroplane normally out of contact` with saidtrack but constructed to engage the same to limit; the lateral movementof the aeroplane.

3. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guidetrack, anaeroplane, means for propelling the saine, and a guide upon theaeroplane and having a` horizontal and a vertical guide-limbrespectively extending above and to the outer side of said guidetrack.

4l. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guide-track, anaeroplane, means for propelling the same, and a rectangular guide-framelextending laterally Jfrom the aeroplane to surround the guide-track.

5. In apparatus of the character stated, a pair of'elevatedguide-tracks, an aeroplane, means for propelling ythe same, andrectangular guide-frames projecting from opposite sides of the aeroplaneand surround' ing the guide-tracks but normally out of contact ivitlithe same.`

6. In apparatus of the character-stated, a series of masts, lateral barsupon such masts, a guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplane,means for propelling the same, and a ,guide upon said aeroplaneconstructed with a horizontal limb above the guide-track and a verticallimb at the side of said track and pivoted to yield to the lateral barsin a plane parallelto that ot the travelof the aeroplane.

7. In apparatus of the character stated, a series of masts,.lateral barspivotally supported upon such masts, means -for swinging such bars in avertical plane, av

aeroplane, means for propelling the same,

series vof masts, lateral bars upon such masts,

a guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplane, means forpropelling the same,

and arectangular guide-frameupon thev aeroplane and-surrounding thetrack` and having one. vertical side-ba rv pivoted to yield' to thellateral bars in a planeparallel to. thatof the travel of the aeroplane.

9. In apparatus 'of the vcharacter stated,

tivo parallel series of masts, lateral `'bars pivotally supporteduponsaid masts to project into the space between the-series of masts,A

meansforswniging. said barsvin a vertical plane, a guide-track supportedin said bars,

for propelling the same, and a guide-frame upon the aeroplane andsurrounding the track and having a vertical side-member pivoted to yieldto the lateral bars in a plane parallel to the travel of the aeroplane.

11. In apparatus of the character stated, two parallel series of masts,lateral bars pivotally supported upon such masts to swing in verticalplanes transverse to and in the space between said series of masts,mea-ns for swinging such bars, individual means for separatelycontrolling each of such barswinging means, guide-tracks supported bythebars, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and guide-framesupon opposite sides of the-aeroplane and surrounding the tracks, andeach having a vertical side-member pivoted to yield t-o the lateral barsin a plane parallel to the travel of the aeroplane.

12. In apparatus of the character stated,

two parallel series of masts, lateral bars supported upon said masts toproject transversely to and in the space between said se-, ries ofmasts, guide-tracks supported bv said bars, an aeroplane, means forpropelling the same, and rectangular frames secured to the sides ot'said aeroplane and each having its outer side composed of two barsmeeting at their ends and hinged respectively atthe upper and lower endto swing in a plane parallel with the travel of the aeroplane andproviding with means for returning them to normal position. i

13. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guidetrack, anaeroplane, a guide-frame upon the same and extending around the track, apropeller upon the aero-v plane, a motor for driving the same, a trol,

ley wire parallel to the trackya generator for feeding such wire, and atrolley upon the wire and flexibly connected to the motor.

14. In apparatus cf the character stated, a Series of masts, lateralbars pivotally supported upon the same, means for swingingV such bars'1n a vertical plane, a guide-trackl supported iu said'bars,anaeroplane, mea-ns for propellingthe same, a guide-frame extendingaround such track and secured to the aeroplane, means `for individuallycontrolling the bar swinging means, and means for simultaneouslyactuating such means.

15. In .apparatus of the character described, two parallel series ofmasts, lateral bars pivotally supported upon such masts to swing invertical planes transverse to and in the space between said masts, meansfor swinging such bars, guide-tracks supported upon said bars, anaeroplane, guide-trames upon the same and extending around said tracks,means for individually actuating the bar-swinging means, means forsimultaneously actuating each series of bar-swinging means, anduneansfor simultaneously actuating bothseries of bar-swinging means.

16. In apparatus of the character stated, an eleva ted guide track, anvaeroplane having means for propelling and steering the same, and meansupon said aeroplane constructed to extend around said guide track toengage the same within vertical and lateral limits.

j 17. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guide-track, anaeroplane having means for propelling and steering` the same, and meansupon said aeroplane constructed to extend around said guide track to benormally out of contact with and to engage the saine within vertical andlateral limits.

1S. In apparatus of the character stated, a Flexible guide-track,supporting means for the saine, and positively actuated means foradjusting the position ot' such supporting means.

1S). In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, meansfor supporting said track, and positively actuated-means for verticallyand laterally adjusting Said track. j

20. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, barssupporting said track, and positively actuated means for vertically andlaterally moving and adjusting said bars.

21. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guide-track, anaeroplane, having means for propelling and steering the same, and agui(le-trame upon said aeroplane extending around said track andnormallyfout. of contact with the same.

22. In apparatus of the character stated, a pair of elevatedguide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it,and guide-frames upon said aeroplane and extending around suchguide-tracks but normally out of contactwith the same.

23. In apparatus of the character stated,` a pair of elevatedguide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propellingy and steering it,means for vertically and laterally adjusting the tracks, andguide-frames upon said aeroplane and e..\:tending around said tracks butnormally out of contact with the same.

24. In apparatus of thel character stated, a tiexible guide-track,supporting means for plaine and constructed to extend around and thesame, means for adjusting the position of such supporting means, anaeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means uponsaid aeroplane constructed to engage said guide-track within verticaland lateral limits.

25. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track,supporting means for the same, and means for individually orcollectively actuating such supporting means.

26. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track,movable supporting means for the same, means for actuating suchsupporting means, and centrally located means fcr individually o`rcollectively operating such actuating means.

2T. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, meansfor supporting the same, means for actuating such supporting means tovertically and laterally adjust the track, and centrally located meansfor individually or collectively operating such actuating means.

QS. lIn apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, meansfor supporting the same, electric motors for moving and adjusting suchsupporting means, and a centrally located switch-'board controlling saidmotors individually or collectively.

29. In apparatus of the character statedf a flexible guide-track, meansfor supporting the same, motors connected to move and adjust suchsupporting means, and centrally located controlling means for suchmotors.

30. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated flexibleguide-track, means forY adjusting the elevation of the same, anaeroplane having means for propelling and steering the same, and meansupon said aeroplane constructed to engage said guide-track withinvertical and lateral limits.

3l. In apparatus of the character stated, a series of masts, barspivoted upon such masts to swing in a vertical plane, means for swingingsuch bars, a flexible guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplanehaving means for propelling and steering it, and means upon saidaeroplane constructed to engage the guide-trackf within vertical andlateral limits.

'32. In apparatus of the character stated, a series of masts, barspivoted upon such masts to swing in a vertical plane, meausfor swingingsuch bars, a flexible guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplanehaving means for propelling and steering it, and means upon saidaeroplane constructed to be normally free from and to engage said trackwithin vertical and lateral limits.

33. In apparat-us of the character stated, two elevated guide-tracks, anaeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means uponopposite sides of said aerolto be normally free from said tracks and toengage the same when the aeroplane diverges within predeterminedvertical and lateral nlimits from its normal path.

same, motors connected to actuate such ad justable supporting means, andcentrally located controlling means connected to such motors to operatethe same individually or collectively.

36. In apparatus ofthe character stated, two parallel elevated andflexible guidetracks, means for adjusting the elevation of said tracks,an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means uponopposite sides of said aeroplane and constructed to be normally out ofcontact with said guide-tracks and to engage said tracks when the)aeroplane diverges within predetermined vertical and lateral limits fromits normal path.

37. In apparatus of the character stated, two parallel elevatedguide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it,and guides upon opposite sides of said aeroplane and constructed toextend around said guide-tracks to be normally out of contact with thesame and to engage them when the aeroplane diverges within predeterminedlimits from its normal path.

38. In apparatus of the character stated, a guide-track, a trolley wireparallel with the same, a generator feeding such Wire, an aeroplane, amotor upon the same, a propeller driven by said motor, a trolley uponsaid trolley wire and connected to said motor, and a guide upon theaeroplane and extendling around said guide-track to be normally out ofcontact with the same and to engage it when the aeroplane diverges fromits normal pathl 39. In apparatus of. the character stated, two parallelguide-tracks, a trolley-wire between and parallel to the same, agenerator feeding such trolley wire, an aeroplane, a motor upon thesame, a propeller driven by said motor, a trolley upon the trolley-wireand connected to said motor,' and guides upon opposite sides of saidaeroplane and spanning said guide-tracks to`be normally out of contactwith the same and to engage them when the aeroplane diverges Withinpredetermined limits from its path.

40. In apparatus of the character stated,`

an elevated guide-track, means for adjusting the elevation of saidtrack, a trolley-,wire

6 Loca/flee parallel ibo said track7 a generator feeding mally out ofcontact with the same and to said trolley-Wire, an aeroplane, a motorengage it When the aeroplane diverges Witl upon' the same, a propellerdriven by said in predetermined limits from its path.

motor, a trolley upon the trolley-Wire, ex- WILLIAM A. HUTSN. 5 pansibleand contractible flexible connection Witnesses:

between said trolley and the motor, and a C. D. MCVAY,

guide spanning the guide-track to be nor- N. BUSSINGER.

